What would Fred Rogers think today?

As the news of the day surrounds our senses with the visuals and sounds of the cries of the young, my thoughts turn to a man who, if here to witness, would stand with eyes filled with tears and a heart in disbelief and say "This is not my neighborhood."

This man's neighborhood was one where childhood is filled with experiences of love and learning that everyone is different, everyone is special, everyone has feelings.

In his neighborhood, children and adults of many colors, some with disabilities, some speaking different languages, all with varied talents share in the joy of make believe and are told every day, "You are my friend, you are special.".

Fred Rogers' neighborhood may have been a place of make believe but it was a neighborhood filled with love and compassion, a neighborhood where a young child could be nurtured; where their eyes, free of tears, were wide opened to see the magic of how crayons are made, learn what happens at the recycling center and visit a neighborhood restaurant to see how food is prepared and how to use a napkin.

Though it was long ago, I still remember as a small child the day I became separated from my mother in a department store. That moment of panic, when I turned around and could not find her, remains with me even today.

Mr. Rogers, how I wish you could once again have Trolley take us to your neighborhood, the Neighborhood of Make Believe where a gentle tiger plays, love abounds and children hear you sing to them "It's You I Like".

Susan Heaton

Elk Grove Village